Jackson Personal Injury Lawyer

Jackson MI Personal Injury Attorney

It can be overwhelming to deal with a personal injury case, especially if you have decided to pursue legal action on your own without the help of a skilled Jackson personal injury lawyer. Retaining the services of an experienced legal mind could be the most important decision you make throughout your entire case. You will want someone who understands the ins and outs of personal injury law and can bring their knowledge to your case. You can connect with Wigod & Falzon lawyers to discuss your case and get the right legal advice.

The Statute of Limitations in Michigan

When you decide to seek out and hire a personal injury lawyer for your case, it is important that you do not waste time in doing so. Michigan has a fairly strict statute of limitations for personal injury cases that doesn’t have a lot of leeway. In Michigan, you have three years to file a personal injury claim. That means you have three years from the date of your initial injury to start building a case, consult with a lawyer, file a claim, and pursue compensation from the negligent party.

If you fail to file your claim within the three-year window, there is a decent chance that your claim will not be considered, your case will be thrown out, and you will have missed your opportunity to file a claim for compensatory damages. There are a number of possible exceptions to the three-year window that may grant you some additional time to put your claim together. However, there is no guarantee that you will qualify for such an extension. Here are some situations that could:

• Legal Disability: In Michigan, any person who is legally incapable of making their own legal decisions or managing their own affairs may be considered legally disabled, including anyone considered legally insane and minors under 18 years old. If someone considered legally disabled ends up suffering a personal injury, they may be granted a one year extension from the date that their disability is no longer an affecting factor.
• Fraudulent Concealment: In the event that the party responsible for your injury conceals the existence of a case against them or attempts to conceal the identity of the offender who caused your injury, the state of Michigan may provide you with additional time to bring legal action against them.
• Out of State: There are sometimes cases where a potential defendant will flee the state to avoid the responsibility of a personal injury lawsuit being brought against them. In those cases, your deadline to file may be temporarily paused until the defendant finds their way back to Jackson, Michigan. This exception applies if the defendant:
  • Was out of state when your injury happened but was still responsible for it.
  • Fled the state after your injury and has been absent for at least two months.

This extension may only be granted if the court decides you are unable to actually serve the defendant with the lawsuit while they are out of state. If later, the court decides you could have served the defendant anyway; your deadline will be unpaused.

Different Types of Personal Injury Cases

A personal injury claim can be made in any situation where you were injured as a result of another person’s negligent or reckless behavior. Personal injury cases can encompass many different kinds of accidents and potential situations, many of which Wigod & Falzon can help you seek compensatory damages for. Here are some of the different kinds of personal injury cases that we handle on your behalf:

• Slip and Fall: Slip and fall accidents are fairly common all across the United States, and can often result in catastrophic injuries depending on how the victim lands. Slips and falls tend to happen in public places or businesses, in which case, they would fall under “premises liability.” In a premises liability case, the business owner assumes responsibility for any injury that occurs within the boundaries of their property, including a slip and fall. In order to succeed in a premises liability case, your lawyer will have to prove that the property owner engaged in negligent behavior when it came to the safety of their visitors or customers. If your injury was the result of poor lighting, a misplaced hazard, an uneven floor, or a wet floor, your lawyer may be able to develop a case for negligence and pursue compensation for a personal injury.
• Car Accidents: One of the most common forms of personal injury cases in the country is a car accident. Car accidents happen all the time for a number of different reasons. The injuries you could sustain in a car accident can range anywhere from mild to devastating, depending entirely on the circumstances of the accident. In addition to injury, a car accident tends to result in substantial property damage, not just to your car but to items in your car that may have broken. When pursuing a personal injury claim as a result of a car accident or a truck accident, you are often pursuing damages from the other driver who caused the accident. That isn’t always the case, though. If the accident was caused by faulty equipment, you could be making the suit against the vehicle’s manufacturer or a mechanic who recently worked on your vehicle. A personal injury case may rely on proving negligence was the root cause, and a good lawyer can help you do that. After a motorcycle accident, the same principles apply. If the crash was caused by defective parts, poor road conditions, or another factor outside the rider’s control, your claim could target the responsible party, whether it’s a manufacturer, repair shop, or even a government agency responsible for road maintenance.
• Dog Bites: Since a person’s pet is considered to be an extension of their property, dog bites may also fall under premises liability. It is the responsibility of a pet owner to ensure that their dog does not attack someone and bite them. If you are bitten by an unprovoked dog, you may be able to pursue damages from the dog’s owner in the form of medical expenses, emotional distress, and even pain and suffering.  The only real defense the dog’s owner may be able to claim is provocation. If they can prove that it was you who caused the dog to act irrationally and attack, then they may be able to avoid paying you anything in damages. It may be wise to reach out and speak with a lawyer before pursuing legal action against a pet owner if only to see what your options may be in pursuing a case.

FAQs

How Much Can I Sue for Emotional Distress in Jackson, Michigan?

Michigan does not have a cap on how much you can sue for emotional distress. Emotional distress is such an abstract, relative concept that no two cases are the same. What may be emotionally distressing for you may not necessarily be the same for somebody else. When pursuing a personal injury claim, you can attempt to claim any amount that you and your lawyer believe to be appropriate to reflect the emotional distress that you endured. However, there is no guarantee you will receive that amount.

Can I Pursue a Personal Injury Claim if I Was Partially At Fault for the Accident?

Yes, you can still pursue a claim if you were partially at fault for the accident. Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are found to be somewhat at fault, the amount you are seeking in damages will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be at fault. So, if you are found to be at least 20% at fault, your total damages awarded will be reduced by 20%.

Can You Make a Claim for a Personal Injury in Michigan?

Yes, you can absolutely make a claim for a personal injury in Michigan. You can pursue damages for a personal injury any time you are injured in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligent, reckless, or malicious behavior. If you want to pursue damages, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer who can help you develop a case, weigh your options, and protect you from dealing with insurance companies who may try and encourage you to accept a low settlement amount. By consulting an experienced lawyer, you can learn about the settlement amount you deserve and how to secure the right compensation.

How Long Do You Have to Claim for a Car Accident in Michigan?

In Michigan, you have three years to claim damages for a car accident. That means you will have three years from the date of your initial car accident to start building a case, consult with a lawyer, and pursue compensatory damages from the liable parties. If you fail to file your claim within the three-year window, your case may be thrown out, and your opportunity to pursue damages may pass. It’s important to start filing as soon as possible to avoid missed deadlines, especially in Jackson.

Reach Out to a Jackson MI Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Dealing with the fallout of a personal injury can be overwhelming, especially if you are also trying to devote your resources to healing. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you make sure you are not taken advantage of during this process by taking control of your case and making sure it’s as strong as possible.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon understands the kind of help you need during this frustrating time, and we are prepared to assist you in building your case, gathering evidence, and representing your interests from start to finish. Contact us to schedule a consultation.